Apple Faces User Backlash After Dropping Support for iPhone 7 From iOS 16

[kc9hzn]

My mom upgraded from the iPad Mini 1 to the 5 last year and you are correct. The Mini 1 was so old nothing worked on it but web surfing, email, texting, and so on. Very very few apps ran on it.

Actually, re: web surfing, can I take a moment to complain about how bloated most web sites are, especially most “mobile optimized” sites? I used web browsers back when “mobile optimized” meant “basic HTML because phones couldn’t handle anything else”. But today, some sites are slow on flagship phones, even on desktop computers. And it mostly seems to be down to ads and trackers. I remember a Verge article a couple years ago complaining about the performance of the iPad’s web browser and felt it was rich coming from a website with over 50 trackers/ad servers/etc. 50 calls to various servers all going off simultaneously, that’s pretty ridiculous. Between those performance issues and the continued existence of malvertising campaigns, I scoff when random websites beg me to turn off my ad blocker.

If web browsing wasn’t so bloated, older devices would continue to have plenty of usable life post end of software support.

 

[abowlby]

I do expect Apple to follow up for a reason as to why they discontinued updates, as they know there will be backlash. The lock screen feature is probably the main reason why, causing limitations.

I don’t feel any kind of way about this, but I do find it funny that Apple goes on and on about eWaste and then uses a lock screen to torpedo an otherwise capable device 😂

 

[AlexMac89]

I'd like them to err on the side of continual support

It’s clear that is what you have been pushing for, and ultimately is completely unrealistic. It’s probably why you continue to post the same arguments, and ignore all the counters to them. 🤷🏻‍♂️

 

[turbineseaplane]

I don’t feel any kind of way about this, but I do find it funny that Apple goes on and on about eWaste and then uses a lock screen to torpedo an otherwise capable device 😂

I wish more folks would realize that it's all just marketing schticks..

The environmental stuff, the e-waste stuff, the privacy stuff

They say whatever suits their business interests and that's largely the extent of it.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Well if they want their phones lagging and crashing let them have it lol

Not happening on iOS 15 and no reason to think it would on the extremely minor update that is iOS 16

But to your point -- it'd be nice to have the option to "endure it" (whatever "it" might be)

 

[sdfox7]

It's amazing this already has 600 comments. My own opinion is that no one really needs the latest software as soon as it drops. My iPad and iPhone now receive DAILY app updates, which quite frankly is ridiculous. Yet, I move at my own pace. I don't upgrade every time Apple releases a new device, just to "have the newest thing". I use all my devices for years, sometimes on older software and everything works fine.

I will say I certainly hate hearing Apple espouse how environmentally friendly they are, only to see them drop a 5 year old 2017 MacBook Air from updates. Windows machines receive much better support than this. Most Windows XP machines are capable of running Windows 10, which is remarkable.

THIS is the reason Apple will never be the primary choice for enterprise and business users. The machines are way too expensive for the limited time that they receive software updates.

 

[Lucky736]

Ironic they are willing to limit features in their iPads and Macs but not in their phones to support newer OSes. Reeks of Tim.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Ironic they are willing to limit features in their iPads and Macs but not in their phones to support newer OSes. Reeks of Tim.

A really interesting observation
Very odd indeed

 

[jwolf6589]

It's amazing this already has 600 comments. My own opinion is that no one really needs the latest software as soon as it drops. My iPad and iPhone now receive DAILY app updates, which quite frankly is ridiculous. Yet, I move at my own pace. I don't upgrade every time Apple releases a new device, just to "have the newest thing". I use all my devices for years, sometimes on older software and everything works fine.

I will say I certainly hate hearing Apple espouse how environmentally friendly they are, only to see them drop a 5 year old 2017 MacBook Air from updates. Windows machines receive much better support than this. Most Windows XP machines are capable of running Windows 10, which is remarkable.

THIS is the reason Apple will never be the primary choice for enterprise and business users. The machines are way too expensive for the limited time that they receive software updates.

I agree. My moms 2017 Air is not supported which is very lame because it’s not she is gonna upgrade it anytime soon. Well she will have to remain on Monterey.

 

[Realityck]

My brother is not a techie and still uses an 8. Next year when they drop support for the 8 I bet he wont even notice. He uses a phone to call and text.

Bingo. That kinda washes away this argument about there even being user backlash at all. Most consumers aren’t that technical, don’t install multiple apps, they even get by with basic app sets. Maybe they add some streaming apps if needed. If something impairs using the iPhone maybe then they will see what they need.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Bingo. That kinda washes away this argument about there even being user backlash at all.

One anecdote washes away the entire premise of any backlash?

 

[Realityck]

One anecdote washes away the entire premise of any backlash?

Yes there are far more people out there that don’t care. They just use the iPhone, not play with it constantly.

 

[sdfox7]

I agree. My moms 2017 Air is not supported which is very lame because it’s not she is gonna upgrade it anytime soon. Well she will have to remain on Monterey.

I'm using a 2015 MBA with the i7 and 8GB RAM, on Sierra 10.12.6. Works like a charm.

I only upgraded to Sierra because I felt it was a little more refined than El Capitan 10.11, itself still an excellent system.

 

[sdfox7]

Ironic they are willing to limit features in their iPads and Macs but not in their phones to support newer OSes. Reeks of Tim.

There would probably be a class action lawsuit if they didn't support minimum functionality...Macs are more expensive.

It's a fine balance between no support and minimum support, and even that can get you sued.

Man sues Microsoft for $600M after a forced Windows upgrade destroyed his PC

A lawsuit against Microsoft may seem outlandish but expresses a not-uncommon user complaint.

www.foxnews.com

Microsoft pays woman $10,000 for forcing Windows 10 installation

The Verge is about technology and how it makes us feel. Founded in 2011, we offer our audience everything from breaking news to reviews to award-winning features and investigations, on our site, in video, and in podcasts.

www.theverge.com

 

[menist]

Not the end of the world, unless apps drop support for iOS 15 which I don't see it happening this soon, exp like the Youtube app drop support for iOS 9/10 etc.

 

[msp3]

If all of my elderly relatives that still hasn’t upgraded to even bigger iPhones and set the font to large print sized would read news like this or cared, they would be hopping mad

 

[duffman9000]

It’s over Johnny! It’s over!

 

[ACG12]

I don’t have an issue with them dropping support, it’s a 6 year old device. My issue is Apple not dropping support of the iPads that have the same chips.

IMO iPads with the A10x or more powerful should be the only ones supported.

 

[urbanman2004]

Thanks Apple for releasing iOS 16 which rendered my iPhone 6+ useless 🙄😒

 

[bousozoku]

That wasn’t being sold new by Apple in 2019

Macs also don’t get software support as ruthlessly dumped by app developers as iOS devices do

You're obviously not waiting for updated versions of Half-Life 2, Portal 2, etc. that run on 64-bit Macs.

The lifetime of a phone is short and Apple keeps it going longer than any other company in the business. On Android, it's usually the installed version + the next version.

 

[duck apple]

They can limit features on iPadOS 16 to M1 iPads but can't do the same with iOS 16?

Yes, they can give you a crippled iOS 16 and you'll be you'll be quiet.

 

[duck apple]

Thanks Apple for releasing iOS 16 which rendered my iPhone 6+ useless 🙄😒

Why iOS 16 is able to render iPhone 6+ useless?

 

[bodonnell202]

Spoken like a true Apple executive! Why? If the phone still works, and is capable, why should anyone be forced to upgrade? Not everyone needs the greatest and latest.

If the iPhone 7 still allows these users to text, review their social media, etc, then that's great.

Who is being forced to upgrade here? You realize the iPhone 7 isn't going to suddenly stop working when iOS 16 is released. Apple isn't forcing anyone to do anything. The language people use around iOS updates is very strange, like they think the phone is going to suddenly explode since it no longer has the latest version of iOS.

 

[960design]

Forced obsolescence. It's nothing new.

This term grates at me.
I would be 100% on your side if the iOS just stopped working for the device. That would be "force".
People are free to continue using their devices on older operating systems for some time to come. There is no need to upgrade a device, unless you want to.

What specifically will you miss if you do not upgrade to a device less than 6 years old?

 

[960design]

The iPhone 7 was still sold as new into late 2019. That means we're now expecting OS updates for only 3 years? That's shorter than they have done it in the past.

I do agree with this.
Apple's vintage / obsolete definitions are listed here:

Obtaining service for your Apple product after an expired warranty - Apple Support

Learn about your options for getting service and parts for Apple devices that are past their warranty period.

support.apple.com

A product becomes vintage 5 - 7 years after last sold by Apple.
A product becomes obsolete > 7 years after last sold by Apple.

Apple should clearly state why iPhone 7 is no longer being updated while it is still 2 years from vintage status.
There may be some technical hurdle. Not explaining creates rumors and guesses and honestly, some fairly deserved angst.